Closure lock



Dec. 7, 1948. T. WELBORN 2,455,844-

' CLOSURE LOCK Filed May 10, 1946, 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Thomas J FVZJbOrn INV EN TOR.

A TTORNEY Dec. 7, 1948.

T. J. WELBORN CLOSURE LOCK Filed May '10, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ThozzzasJ: -%]Zorfi I INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 7, 1948 CLOSURE LOCK Thomas J.,Welborn, Lubbock,Tex.

Application May 10, 1946, Serial No. 668,881

v6 Claims. (Cl. 292-22) This invention relates to window locks and ithas particular reference to locks of such design.

and construction as to maintain control of the sashes of the window atall times throughout their range of movement.

The principal object of the invention is to provide for a sash window orthe like, a temporary lock to hold the sash or sashes against movementin one direction, yet allowing free movement in the opposite directionand a positive means for locking the temporary latch to prevent itsoperation except by the use of a key. Thus, the sash may be moved toclosed position without restraint but it cannot be moved to openposition while under the operative influence of the invention.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for readilyreleasing the temporary latch to allow for free and unrestrictedmovement of the sashes in both directions and which means is operativeto return the temporary latching means to normal position automatically,thus insuring temporarily latched position of the sashes at all times.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a control for holdingthe temporary latching means in inoperative position which feature isadvantageous when it is necessary to use both hands in manipulating thesashes, as in the case of sashes which are diflicult to operate.

This latter means is instantaneously operated and its function is solelyto control the action of the temporary latching means as in thespecifiedinstances as well as in cases where it is desired to manipulatethe sashes without restraint of any character such for example, as whenthe sashes are washed.

Broadly, the invention comprehends the provision of an improved windowlock and latch which is easy to install either in old buildings orduring the course of construction of a new building. The invention issimple and economical in construction and positive in operation thusmaking for security for homes, residences and even business buildingsand will discourage burglary and illegal entry into buildings soprotected.

With the foregoing objects as paramount, the

invention has particular reference to its salient features ofconstruction and arrangement of parts, which will become manifest as thedescription proceeds, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view of a window frame, in the direction ofthe arrows l-| onFigure 3, showing the invention operatively mountedtherein.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary section on lines 2- on Figure 3, showing aplan view of the invention.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view of a window casing and sash assembly invertical elevation,

showing the position of theinvention thereon.

Figure 4 is a detail view of a rack and pinion and its latching means.Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 but showing a construction ofrack and pinion and looking means for the companion sash.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary detail view showing a portion of the preferredtype of rack employed.

Figure 7 is a view of the latch for holding the On one edge of eachsash, there is provided a rack 3, a fragmentary detail view of which isshown in Figure 6. This rack has a flange 4 which reposes withinlongitudinal grooves provided in one side of each sash and is heldtherein by suitable means such as nails or screws 5, shown in positionin dotted lines in Figure 2. This groove may be made by means of arotary saw or the like.

Mounted upon a plate 6 is a pair of bearings l carrying a transverseshaft 8. On the opposing sides of the bearings l the pinions 9 aremounted and which, when the sashes A and B are slidingly operative inthe window frame.

engage the racks 3 in the manner shown in Figures 4 and 5. It frequentlyhappens that a sash will con tract and become loose in its mounting andits sides will consequently withdraw slightly from the track in which itoperates. It being essential that the pinion 9 be at all times in meshwith the teeth H! of the rack 3, it is necessary to provide some meansto insure this condition. Accordingly, at each side of the plate 6,there is provided a clip I l which embraces the edge of the plate andslidably embraces the edge of the rack 3. The rack is thus held in closerelation to the plateB and there is no chance that displacement bee.

3 tween the rack and pinion will occur, particularly since the rack issecurely aifixed to the sash as previously explained. It is apparenttherefore that the sashes may be moved freely in their tracks orchannels and in so doing, the pinions 9 are rotated.

In order to control the movement of the sashes, dogs l2 are provided andare pivotally mounted, by means of pins [3 on extended portions as ofthe bearings 'Lwhich carry the shaft 3; Lugs l5, integral with each ofthe dogs 12 are held in normal engagement between the teeth 56 of thepinion 9 by means of an arm i? pivoted at a to the plate 6, as inFigure 1. The ends of the arm.

I 1 are free and with the integral portion iii of the arm, the membermay be said to be substantially T-shaped and by moving the upper end. ofthe portion iii of the member, the free ends of the arm I! are raisedand lowered to actuate-the dogs I2 with respect to the pinions 9.

An examination of Figures-4 and 5: will disclosethat the dogs I 2 aresubstantially different in construction. This'is necessary that theymust be simultaneously moved to latched and unlatched relation to thepinions 9 and since the ends of the arm or portion I! travel in oppositedirections when the portion. i=8 ismoved, the dog shown in-Figure' l' ismoved to uniatchedrelation with its pinion. as the endof the arm llmoves downwardly while the companion: dog shown in Figure 5' is moved tounlatchedr position simultaneously when the'opposite end of the arm iimoves upwardly. In either case, theweight of the dog alone is effectivein maintainingzlatched positionithereof; The dog shown: in Figure l isillustrated on the right in Figures 1 and 2 while that shown in Figure 5is-on' the left. The dotted line position of the dogs I 2 in Figures 4.and 5 are" the inoperativepositions thereof when they are actuated bythe arm I! as explained;

Normally, the dogs [2 areinlatched engagement with the pinions, that isto say, they are in such position that the sashes. may be moved toclosed position underv continuous control oi' the dogs andpinions butthe direction of movement ofthe sashes cannot be reversed. until thedogs are both moved out of engagement: with the pinions. This isaccomplishedby means of. a plunger t9 carrying. a push button 2E3,sli-dable in an aperture' z I' in the window facing. The inner end ofthe plunger I9 is threaded; into the; tubular, bifurcated: member 22',nonrrotatably supported by a, bracket 23 and which member: 811211121261;the upper end of the portion i8-oi the T-shapedmemberi referred topreviously and: due to the pivotal engagement at b, the T- haped membermaybe oscillated on its pivot point a by pressure upon the push button 28:. A weight 2 mounted on the arm l! of the T-shaped: member and oiTsetfrom: the pivot point a thereof: returns the parts to normal. latched.position as soon as pressure is relieved from the button While gravityalone is sufficient to hold the dogs in. engaged position with respectto the pinions to:- secure the same against movement in one: direction,requires tli'eraising of the weight 2'6 to render the dogs: inoperativefor free and unrestricted movement of the sashes A and B. A. pair ofstops 25 are disposed above and below the arm. ll at the left inFigure 1. to limit the movement thereof when the plunger" is isactuatedas explained In some cases the sash may become stuck and.rendered difli'cult to move and in: other: cases a wide sash may beequipped with. theinvention and in either case, both hands may berequired to manipulate the sashes, It is therefore necessary to providemeans for securing the temporary latching means just described ininoperative position while the sashes are adjusted to the required ordesired position. This means comprises the detail shown in Figures 7 and8 which includes a slide 26 disposed behind the escutcheon plate 2'!carrying the control elements of the invention. A button 28 is providedto enable the slide 26 to be moved relative to the-push button 2% andwhen it is advanced upon the push button, the end of the slide 26 entersa recess 29 in the push button 28 when the latter has been depressed.Thus, the plunger 19 is held against return to normal position and thedogs I2 are thus held out of operative engagement with the pinions 9.Both hands may therefore be used to manipulate the sashes A and B untilthe desired adjustment is obtained, whereupon the button 28 may be movedaway from the button 20 to release the latter and'ithe weightifi willreturn the elements to'normal position automatically;

It isone of theimportant'ieatures of. the present' inventionthat one orboth of the sashes may be partially opened and locked-to prevent entryofa person yet allowing; for. ventilation. It, isunclerstood however,that at no time are the sasheslockedagainstmovement to closed position.This:

is provided: for in case, it is necessar to close the window hurriedlyand the keyis not immediately available;

In order to positively lock the sashes in. partial,,f-ull open or. full.closed position, aplunger till-is provided and controlled by a: key, notshown,

inserted into the cylinder. 31. The, type of key lock employed isconventional but is preferably aspring lock which is depressed when inlocked position and: its plunger 38 is automatically retracted by meansor" a spring: 32 when. unlocked.

When inlocked. position, the inner end' of the plunger 361 lies. in the:path of: the weight: 24, carried by the arm ll, thereby preventingmovement of the arm-,thns maintaining the dogs 52 in engagement with thepinions 9, which relationship-prevents rotation of the pini'ons in onedirection' but does not interfere with their opposite rotation. Thedotted position of the plunger 3E! in Figure 1 shows the locked positionof the inven-tion when the lock 31 is actuated by a key. When unlocked,thespring- 32 returns the plunger to the solid line position shown inFigure 1' and the elements of" the invention. are free to operateaspreviously explained.

In installing the invention in an old house, it is simply necessary toremove the cleats 2 to efiect removal of the sashes A and B. One edge ofeach sash is slotted to. receive the flange 4' of the rack 3 whereuponthe rack is mounted in the manner explained and; shown in Figure 2.

A suitable. opening is made in the jamb at. a point parallel. to themeeting. rails ofthe sashes and the mounting plate 5 of. the. inventionvsov secured to the jam-b by means. of screwsBZ-i. thatv it will. bevflush withthesurface of the jamb. The elements of the invention areoperatively disposed within;

the jamb but before the plate is secured in position, holeslarebored inthe facing to: accommodate the locking elements, such as the plungersi9: and 36. Whenthe latter plunger is in place, the plate 8" ismovedun-ti-l the-weight: 2- 3 engages the extended end-of the plu-n-geriiii, which must be in locked position. Afiter this is done, the plungerIi9'is passed'through the opening 2| in the facing and. screwed intoposition in. relation to the bi- 5 furcated tubular member 22. Themounting plate 6 may then be secured.

The sashes are now ready to be mounted in the frame but in order tomount the sashes, it is necessary that the ends of the rack 5 be so constructed as to allow the teeth of the pinions 9 to align with theapertures 10 of the rack. This is accomplished by cutting the aperturesof the lower sash rack out to the edge at the bottom as at c in Figure 6and the upper sash rackis similarly cut but at the top. Thus the uppersash must be set in below the meeting rail and moved to its properposition. By so cutting the racks, they are not weakened. The sashes maythus be placed in operative position in the frame without interferenceby the pinions 9 since the teeth thereof freely enter the slots 0 of therack and the line with the aperture 19 thereof. It will be understoodthat in mounting the sashes, the rack 3 must be inserted under the clipI l as explained previously so that the rackwill be at all times inoperative relation with the pinions. After the cleats 2 have beenreplaced, the invention is ready for operation.

In mounting the invention for operation in buildings during the periodof construction, sub stantially the same directions will be followedexcept that installation will probably be made wherever the windowframes are manufactured.

Manifestly, the construction shown is capable of considerablemodification and such modification as is considered within the scope andmeaning of the appended claims is also considered within the spirit andintent of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A sash lock for windows including pinions disposed in the frame ofsaid window with gravity operated dogs to constrain the same to rotateonly in one direction, a rack secured to said sash to move therewith andheld in operative engagement with said pinions, a weighted arm ofsubstantially inverted T-shape pivotally disposed for operationexteriorly of said frame to render said dogs inoperative to effect freeand unrestricted movement of said sash.

2. A sash lock for windows and the like including pinions mounted forrotation in the frame of said window, racks carried by said sash andheld in engagement with the teeth of said pinions, gravity operated dogsin normal engagement with said pinions, an inverted T-shaped arm pivotedrfor oscillative movement whose ends are in engagement with said dogs,and controllable from the exterior face of said frame for holding saidsash against movement in one direction, and normally inoperative meansfor releasing said dogs.

3. A look for window sashes including pinions rotatably mounted in theframe of said windows and in continu us engagement with racks carried bysaid sashes, dogs in normal engagement with said pinions for holding thesame against movement in one direction, an inverted T-shaped memberpivoted for oscillative displacement for moving said dogs to inoperativeposition with respect to said pinions to effect free movement of saidsashes, means for temporarily latching said plate, gravity controlledmeans resisting oscillative displacement of said pivoted member forreturning said dogs to operative position upon release of said temporarylatching means.

4. A lock for window sashes and the like including means carried infixed relation with said sashes in continuous moving engagement withpinions rotatably mounted in concealed position in the frame of saidwindow, dogs for latching said pinions against movement in one directiononly, gravity controlled oscillative means exterio-rly manipulatable foractivating said dogs and means for temporarily securing said dogs forfree manipulation of said sashes.

5. A lock for sashes and the like including pinions in the frame of saidsashes and in continuous engagement with means in fixed relation withsaid sashes, oppositely disposed pivoted dogs cooperating with saidpinions for holding the same against rotation in one direction and aninverted T-shaped and pivoted arm arranged for manipulation exteriorlyof said frame for temporarily rendering said dogs inoperative to releasesaid sashes for unrestricted movement.

6. A lock for dual window sashes including pinions mounted in the frameof said sashes, a rack in fixed relation to each of said sashes withwhich said pinions are in continuous engagement, a dog controlling eachof said pinions for holding the same against rotation in one direction,a

single arm operable from a point externally of said sash frame forrendering both of said dogs inoperative simultaneously to effectunrestricted movement of said sashes in said frame, gravity meansresisting displacement of said arm in one direction to return said dogsto operative control of said pinions; and means for operatively lookingsaid pinions to secure said sashes against movement to open position.

THOMAS J. NELBORN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS i Number Name Date 201,055 Shinkle et al Mar. 5,1878 1,172,409 Uff'ert Feb. 22, 1916 1,544,470 Malm June 30, 19251,738,338 Wells Dec. 3, 1929

